Total disposal unit and method



May 16, 1967 1.. L. DUNCAN TOTAL DISPOSAL UNIT AND METHOD 7 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Sept. 15, 1964 INVENTOR LED/V L- DUNCAN BY w 1,

ORNEYS May 16, 1967 L. DUNCAN 3,319,588

TOTAL DISPOSAL UNIT AND METHOD F'iled Sept 15, 1964 '7 Sheets-Sheet INTAKE FAN 566 GAS SOLENOID EXHAUSI' FAN 6/ INVENTOR LE'ON L. DUNCAN ATTORNEYS L. L. DUNCAN May 16, 1967 TOTAL DISPOSAL UNIT AND METHOD '7 Sheets-Sheet Filed Sept. 15, 1964 INVENTOR LEON L. DUNCAN flddlx TTORNEYS May 16, 1967 L.DUNCAN 3,319,538

TOTAL DISPOSAL UNIT AND METHOD Filed Sept. 15, 1964 '7 SheetsSheet 4 I I l INVENTOR LEON A. DUNCAN ORNEYS y 1967 DUNCAN TOTAL DISPOSAL UNIT AND METHOD '7 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Sept. 15, 1964 INVENTOR LEON L. DUNCAN y 1967 L. DUNCAN TOTAL DISPOSAL UNIT AND METHOD 7 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed Sept. 15, 1964 mlp INVENTOR LEON L. DUNCAN y 16, 1967 L. DUNCAN 3,319,588

TOTAL DISPOSAL UNIT AND METHOD Filed Sept. 15, 1964 7 Sheets-Sheet '7 76 I I 90 {9/ I 64A LIIVHT TIME DELAY t SWITCH RELAY SWITCH GAS FLAME SOLENOID SENSOR I ;654 [86 8 FAN THERMO- SWITCH F J. El 3.5

INVENTOR 4 1 43 //I/;/// 1/ LEON L,DUNCAN ATTORNEYS United States Patent 3,319,588 TDTAL DISPOSAL UNIT AND METHOD Leon L. Duncan, Washington, Mo., assignor to Wiiiiam J. King, Palos Park, Ill. Filed Sept. 15, 1964, Ser. No. 396,544 16 Claims. (Cl. 110-9) This invention relates to an individual total waste disposal unit wherein a combustion chamber is located in the housing of the unit, the waste matter being consumed by fire and exhausted to the atmosphere. More particularly, the invention concerns a novel means for the incineration of waste material by a controlled high temperature flame wherein a combustible receptacle is seated in the housing through an opening therein by the exhausting of air from said housing, and after the receptacle receives waste material, it is drawn again into a combustion chamber with the assistance of the air pressure differential created by exhausting air from the combustion chamber.

Conventional toilet facilities which utilize water to flush waste material are for the most part both effective and economical. However, they have the disadvantage that a considerable amount of water is generally required to flush the waste materials, and that more or less extensive sewerage facilities are required. In instances where there is a lock of water suitable for flushing or the utilization of such water in amounts required is uneconomical, and in places where sewerage facilities are not reasonably available, or where it is, for one reason or another, undesirable to dispose of sewerage in the conventional manner, the incinerating toilet is advantageous. Such a toilet also has distinct advantages in moving vehicles such as airplanes, trains and buses.

The incinerating toilet must, however be both sanitary and economicalthe latter being required not only from the standpoint of operation but also from the standpoint of manufacturing. In addition, the unit should be compact and should dispose of the waste as expeditiously and completely as possible. The present invention accomplishes these results by the combination of a unique method for the receipt and positioning of a disposable receptacle to recieve waste and a relatively small combustion chamber, which is well insulated, provides for preheating the air used for combustion and is so connected to an exhaust system that the waste-bearing receptacle is drawn into the combustion chamber when the doors therefore are opened, with air supplied by an intake fan to create a controlled intense gas jet flame, whereby the waste material is completely consumed and dispatched.

In view of the foregoing, an object of this invention is the provision of a self-positioning disposable receptacle especially suitable for use in an incinerating toilet.

A further object of the invention lies in the creation, maintenance, and control of a high temperature in the gas flame immediately below the waste matter being incinerated. Another object of the invention is the provision in an incineratting toilet of a relatively small and completely insulated combustion chamber.

Another object and advantage of the invention lies in the provision of air chambers in combination with the combustion chamber for preheating the air which is subsequently used to oxidize the gaseous jet flame.

Yet a further object and advantage of the invention is to be found in the heated air forced into the carburetor for the gas jet in combination with two hot air jets to each side of the gaseous jet which converge immediately under the waste matter within the combustion box to produce an intense heat. In this connection an important advantage of the invention is that if for any reason the gas jet is not ignited, prior to mixing with the hot air 3,319,588 Patented May 16, 1967 "ice jets, such mixture of gas and air is insufficient to support an explosion.

A still further object of the invention concerns the employment of a venturi system for the removal of the heated gases from the combustion chamber.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a spaced relationship between the toilet bowl and the combustion chamber doors with the disposable receptacle carried on the doors under the bowl with a gentle flow of air being induced through the toilet bowl to the central portion of the underlying receptacle and out over the sides of the receptacle into the toilet housing from whence it is exhausted from the immediate vicinity of the toilet.

A still further object of the invention lies in the relative simplicity of the apparatus and method of the invention together with its effectiveness and ease of maintenance. In this connection, further objects and advantages will be understood by those skilled in the art from the description of the invention, reference being had to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is a front elevational view of the invention with the front partially broken away to show the interior of the toilet housing;

FIGURE 2 is a side elevational view of the invention with the front also partially broken away to show the interior of the toilet housing;

FIGURE 3 is a plan view of the invention with portions of the top of the housing and the disposable receptacle broken away to show the interior mechanism;

FIGURE 4 shows the intake fan and the combustion chamber in plan view and in partial section to illustrate the path of air through the preheaters within the combustion chamber to the air jets and burner;

FIGURE 5 is a view similar to FIGURE 4 to illustrate the flow of air and combustion gases which are exhausted from the combustion chamber;

FIGURE 6 is a view similar to FIGURES 4 and 5 except that it is in a front elevational view and shows the movement of air into and out of. the combustion chamber as well as the movement of air into the toilet housing in the vicinity of the disposable receptacle;

FIGURE 7 is a diagram of the electrical control circuit for the invention;

FIGURE 8 is a fragmentary sectional view in front elevation of a modification of the invention;

FIGURE 9 is a sectional view taken on section lines IXIX in FIGURE 8 showing a modified structure of the pre-heater within the combustion chamber; and

FIGURE 10 is a diagram of a modified electrical control circuit for the invention.

Referring now to the drawings, it will be seen that the incinerating toilet comprises a housing 10 which is open on the top with a downwardly extending abbreviated toilet bowl 11. A combustion chamber 12 is spaced under the toilet bowl 11 in the lower portion of the housing 10. A torch comprising a jet gas burner 14 has its forward portion extending downwardly within the combustion chamber 12. The burner 14 has as its upper part a spark plug 15 for the purpose of igniting the gas and air mixture which discharges from carburetor section 16. The spark plug 15 normally extends to just inside thetorch tip opening. In practical application a diameter of has been found sufficient for the top opening.

Air is supplied to the gas jet burner 14 from an intake fan 17 first through air conduit 20, then into a preheating chamber 21, and finally through a pair of preheating passages 22 which join under the burner 14. From the passages 22, the heated air passes into the incinerating portion of the combustion chamber 12 through a pair of hot air jets 24 and through the carburetor air intake pipe 35.

A gas line 26 is received in the carburetor section 16.

Gas from a gas inlet 27 passes through a low pressure register 30, a plugged T-fitting 31 provided for a gauge, if desired, a solenoid valve 32, and a manual cutofi cock 34. An orifice disk may be included in the cock 34 to restrict the flow of gas. The orifice for liquid petroleum such as butane or propane is normally of 54 gauge, while for natural gas the orifice may be of a 43 gauge.

In a lower portion of the combustion chamber 12, a grate 35 is fitted. As seen best in FIGURE 2, the grate 35 is bowed for the purpose of increasing its strength under high temperature conditions. In the central portion it is approximately 1% inches above the bottom of the combustion chamber 12.

The lower part of the combustion chamber 12 has generally the shape of an inverted truncated pyramid whereby the triangular sections at the edge constitute the preheating passages 22.

The combustion chamber 12 is insulated on all sides and on the bottom, with insulated sliding doors 36 and 37 covering the top. These sliding doors may be opened and shut by a foot pedal 40 which is hinged at 41 to housing 10. The foot pedal 40 receives a pedal linkage 42 which is turnably supported at its upper aspect by a crossbar 44. The foot pedal 40 together with the pedal linkage 42 and the crossbar 44 is normally urged in an upward position by the open helical tension spring 45 which interconnects a stop piece 46 and the pedal linkage 42 as shown in FIGURE 1.

A horizontal control rod 47 is turnably supported by brackets 51 and 52 which, in turn, are fixed to the top of the housing 10. Whereas the rod 47 is turnable with respect to the brackets 51 and 52, it is, by suitable means as would occur to a skilled mechanic, rigidly secured to the crossbar 44 and to the forward door bars 54 and 55. Such bars 54 and 55 are, respectively, hinged on their upper ends to the after door bars 56 and 57. The sliding door 36 has a door rod 60 secured thereto while the after sliding door 37 has a further door rod 61 also secured thereto. The forward door bars are hingedly connected on their lower ends to'the forward door rod 60 through links 63 whereas the after door bars 56 and 57 are hingedly connected on their lower ends to the after door rod 61.

From the foregoing it will be appreciated that by pressing the foot pedal 40 downwardly, the pedal linkage 42 moves the crossbar 44 in a clockwise direction, as seen in FIGURE 2, and at the same time causes the sliding doors 36 and 37 to move in opposite directions by the .movenient of the forward and after door bars, the forward door bars 54 and 55 turning in a clockwise direction as seen in FIGURE 2. Connected ,to the tops of the respective sliding doors 36 and 37 are a pair of stainless steel half plates 64 and 65. When the doors 36 and 37 are closed, the half plates 64 and 65 :are together to form a circular, somewhat concave, plate as seen from the top. A pleated paper waste receptacle 62 is received on the top of the half plates 64 and 65. The surface of the receptacle substantially coincides with the curved surface of the truncated cone and the receptacle may be likened to similar known paper receptacles commonly used for cupcakes and candy, except that it is larger. The lower portion of the toilet bowl 11 is slightly higher than the upper edge of the receptacle 62.

Air, gas, and other matter in the combustion chamber 12 may be exhausted by means of an exhaust fan 66 which moves air through a venturi tube 67 and out of the exhaust outlet 70. Waste gases and material in the combustion chamber 12 are, accordingly, drawn out the ex- 'haust conduit 71 by the venturi effect of the air moving out of tube 67. The mixing of the hot gases and waste material with the relatively cool air from the exhaust fan 66 has a moderating effect whereby the exhausted gases and waste material are not at a dangerously high temperature as they leave outlet 70. The exhaust capacity of the fan 66 is sufiicient whereby even with the intake fan 17 bringing air into the combustion chamber 12, the pressure within the combustion chamber 12 is maintained somewhat below the atmospheric pressure. It will also be appreciated that both of the fans 17 and 66 have their air intakes within the housing 10 and, accordingly, when either or both such fans are running, air tends to be exhausted from within the housing 10 causing a movement of air into the housing through the toilet bowl 11 and also through vent areas 74 and 75 in the side of the housing.

A conventional hinged toilet seat and toilet cover 76 and 77, respectively, are provided on the top of the housing 10. A timer 80 is conveniently provided on the top of the housing 10. Such timer controls the time that the burner operates and may be set from, say; zero to minutes. A transformer 81 is connected to the side of the housing. The transformer is connected on one end to a usual alternating electrical current having a frequency of, say, 60 cycles and a voltage of, say, 110 volts. The voltage is stepped up by the transformer 81 to an appropriately high voltagesay, 5000 voltswhereby when connected to the spark plug 15, a continuous electrical spark may be maintained therein for the period of time required by the operation of the burner 14 to ignite the gas-air mixture from burner 14. Usually five to ten seconds is sufficient for this purpose. The box 82 on the rear of housing 10 is a junction box for the receipt of external wiring into the housing 10. A switch 84 may also be provided which is responsive to weight on the toilet seat 76 whereby the exhaust fan 66 automatically runs whenever downward force is applied to the seat 76 beyond that which results from the weight of the seat 76 itself together with cover 77. A further switch 85 is responsive to the movement of the crossbar 44. It is connected to the exhaust fan whereby when the foot pedal is lowered the exhaust fan 66 is automatically ac tuated. A thermocouple switch 86 is disposed over the conduit 71 near the outlet 70. Switch 86 actuates the fans 17 and 66 as long as the temperature in conduit 71 is at a predetermined level.

FIGURE 7 shows a wiring diagram for the apparatus.

It will be appreciated that as long as weight is on the seat 76 the switch 84 is depressed and the exhaust fan 66 is actuated. Similarly, the opening of the switch 85 by pressing the foot pedal 40 also actuates the exhaust fan 66. However, once weight is removed from the seat 76 and the timer has been set for a certain amount, say, 10 minutes, current is then led to the gas solenoid 32 and to the transformer 81 whereby gas in introduced through gas lines 26 into the carburetor section 16 where it is ignited by the spark plug 15. Current is also led through the fan control switch 86 to the exhaust fan and intake fan which will continue to run as long as the timer 80 will permit them to run. Thereafter, the exhaust fan and intake fan 66 and 17 will continue to run if the thermocouple switch 86 is above a preset temperature.

In operation, a paper waste receptacle 62 is first placed in the toilet bowl 11. Thereafter, if weight is placed in the toilet seat 76, the exhaust fan 66 starts and the paper receptacle 62 is literally drawn down onto the half plates 64 and 65. The fan 66 will then continue to draw air down gently through the toilet seat 76, whereby any odors from waste material in the receptacle 62 are drawn out and into the inlet of the fan 66 and from there exhausted. When it is desired to dispose of the waste material in the receptacle 62 (irrespective of whether it is still in the toilet bowl or on half plates 64 and 65), the foot pedal 40 is pressed which opens the sliding doors 36 and 37 and also actuates the exhaust fan 66. The receptacle 62 is then drawn within the combustion chamber 12 onto the grate 35 and the sliding doors 36 and 37 are permitted to close. Assuming that the timer switch has previously been set to the desired amount of burning time, when weight is removed from seat 76,both the exhaust fan 66 and the intake fan 17 are actuated to supply air through the preheaters into the combustion chamber and finally out the exhaust conduit. The burner 14 has gas and air supplied to its carburetor section 16 which is ignited by the spark plug 15 and the resulting flame directed under the grate 35 ignites the paper receptacle 62. As the temperature in the combustion chamber 12 rises, the air is preheated in the preheating chamber 21 and the preheating passages 22. Accordingly, hot air jets converge at the point where the flame shoots below the grate 35. Here the burning gas and hot air are more or less momentarily trapped below the mass of waste material and the heat builds up to 2,000 to 2500 F. to consume all the organic matter and turn the same into inorganic gases leaving for practical purposes no ash-the same all taking place in relatively few minutes, the average length of time being above seven minutes. Hot gases from the combustion converge against the sides of the preheating chamber 21 where they are cooled to a certain degree, and subsequently mix with the cooler air from the venturi tube 67 so that the gases exhausting from outlet 70 are relatively cool; that is, from 100 to 125 F. It has been found that the temperature is controlled in that it does not increase to such an extent as to burn out or melt the interior of the combustion chamber. Of course it will be understood that normally, further conduits will be supplied from the exhaust outlet 70 to convey the gases to the atmosphere at a safe place removed from the toilet itself and any flammable structure in which it may be located. Such conduits may include a further fan to exhaust the gases of combustion.

If desired, fan 17 may be eliminated and conduit 20 connected to the discharge of fan 66. Also, further conduits may be provided from the discharges of the fans to cool portions of the interior of housing and enhance the circulation therein, as desired and would occur to one skilled in the art.

A modification wherein the fan 17 has been eliminated is shown in FIGURE 8. Thus it will be noted that a somewhat larger fan 66A has leading from the venturi tube 67 a conduit 20A which feeds air into the preheating chamber 21. The bottom, designated in this modifi cation as 12A, of the combustion chamber is spaced so that a continuous preheating passage 22A is provided under the bottom 12A. This is somewhat advantageous in that the underlying insulation is not directly exposed to metal which is exposed to the high temperatures within the combustion chamber 12.

FIGURE 10 shows a modification of the wiring diagram. In this figure, it will be noted that the fan 66A can be actuated by any of three switches comprising the switch 84A which is responsive to weight on seat 76, the thermocouple switch 86, and the timer 80. Thus the fan 66A is operated whenever the exhaustvtemperature is sufliciently high, the timer has been set, or weigh-t has been placed upon the seat 76. The gas solenoid 32 and the spark plug are, however, only actuated by the timer 80. Moreover, the gas solenoid 32 will not close unless a limit switch 90 is also closed. The limit switch 90 may be actuated in its closed position by any of a number of devices which would occur to one skilled in the art. For example, the limit switch 90 may be actuated by the closing of cover 77 or the removal of weight from the lid 76. The spark plug 15 is limited as to the duration of its spark by the time delay relay switch 91. However, in the event that combustion does not start within the desired time or for any reason ceases within the combustion chamber 12, a flame sensor 92 causes the time delay relay switch 91 to again close for five to ten seconds for re-ignition. In the event that the limit switch 90 is opened, no spark will be produced.

The foregoing detailed description has been given for clearness of understanding only, and no unnecessary limitations should be understood therefrom, for modifications will be obvious to those skilled in the art.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. A method of waste disposal which comprises the steps of suspending a receptacle composed of a yieldable and combustible material within an opening on the top of a substantially enclosed housing having combustion chamber doors under said opening, sucking said receptacle through said opening by withdrawing air within said housing and thereby seating said receptacle on said doors, placing waste material in said receptacle, opening said doors and exhausting air from said chamber whereby said receptacle with said waste material is drawn into said combustion chamber, incinerating said waste and receptacle in said combustion chamber, and exhausting the products from said incineration from said chamber.

2. A waste disposal unit for substantially completely incinerating waste deposited in a receptacle of flexible and combustible material, said waste disposal unit comprising an enclosed housing having a waste receiving opening in the top thereof, a combustion chamber disposed in said housing below said opening and having a doorway in vertical alignment therewith, a door mounted in said housing for movement between an incinerating position closing said doorway and a retracted position opening said doorway, said door in the incinerating position thereof providing a seat for a receptacle inserted through said opening and resting on said seat and in vertical alignment with said opening, means for withdrawing air from the portion of .said housing disposed between said top and said combustion chamber to position and to hold the receptacle on said seat, and mechanism for moving saiddoor to the retracted position thereof to drop the receptacle and its contents into said combustion chamber and thereafter for moving said door to the incinerating position thereof, thus completely to incinerate the receptacle and its contents.

3. The waste disposal unit set forth in claim 2, wherein the receptacle is generally frusto-conical in shape and initially is suspended in said opening above said seat, said air withdrawing means serving to suck the receptacle through said opening onto said seat and to position and to hold the receptacle on said seat.

4. The waste disposal unit set forth in claim 2 and further comprising a frusto-conical bowl surrounding said waste receiving opening and converging downwardly toward said combustion chamber, the receptacle also being frusto-conical in shape and normally having transverse dimensions greater than that of said bowl whereby to rest thereon and spaced above said seat, said air withdrawing means serving to suck the receptacle downwardly through said frusto-conical bowl to position and to hold the receptacle on said seat.

5. The waste disposal unit set forth in claim 2, and further comprising a toilet seat mounted on said housing above said opening, and a switch positioned adjacent to said toilet seat and connected to said air withdrawing means to cause operation of said air withdrawing means upon closure of said switch, said switch being moved to the closed position thereof by the placement of weight upon said toilet seat.

6. The waste disposal unit set forth in claim 2, and further comprising a pair of doors mounted on said housing for movement between an incinerating position closing said doorway and a retracted position opening said doorway, said doors having plates thereon cooperating to provide a concave seat for receiving a waste receptacle when said doors are in the incinerating positions thereof.

7. A waste disposal unit for substantially completely incinerating waste deposited in a receptacle of flexible and combustible material, said waste disposal unit comprising an enclosed housing having a waste receiving opening in the top thereof, a combustion chamber disposed in said housing below said opening and having a doorway in vertical alignment therewith, a door mounted in said housing for movement between an incinerating position closing said doorway and a retracted position opening said doorway, said door in the incinerating position thereof providing a seat for receptacle inserted through said opening and 7 resting on said seat and in vertical alignment with said opening means for withdrawing air from the portion of said housing disposed between said top and said combustion chamber to position and to hold the receptacle on said seat, mechanism for moving said door to the retracted position thereof to drop the receptacle and its contents into said combustion chamber and thereafter for moving said door to the incinerating position thereof, and means for withdrawing air from said combustion chamber positively to draw the receptacle and its contents into said combustion chamber when said door is in the retracted position thereof, thus completely to incinerate the receptacle and its contents.

8. The waste disposal unit set forth in claim 7, wherein both of the air withdrawing means together comprise a single fan blowing into a venturi section exhausting to the exterior of said housing, the portion of said housing disposed between said top and said combustion chamber being connected to the inlet to the fan and said combustion chamber being connected to the low pressure point in said venturi section.

9. The waste disposal unit set forth in claim 8, and further comprising another inlet for said fan communicating with the exterior of said housing to draw cool air into said fan and to discharge it through said venturi section and to mix it with the hot combustion gases to cool the exhaust gases blown to the exterior of said housing to a safe low temperature.

10. A waste disposal unit for substantially completely incinerating waste deposited in a receptacle of flexible and combustible material, said waste disposal unit comprising an enclosed housing having a Waste receiving opening in the top thereof, a combustion chamber disposed in said housing below said opening and having a doorway in vertical alignment therewith, a door mounted in said housing for movement between an incinerating position closing said doorway and a retracted position opening said doorway, said door in the incinerating position thereof providing 'a seat for a receptacle inserted through said opening and resting on said seat and in vertical alignment with said opening, a fan mounted within said housing and having an inlet communicating with the portion of said housing disposed between said top and said combustion chamber and an outlet communicating with the exterior of said housing, operation of said fan serving to draw air from the portion of said housing disposed between said top and said combustion chamber to position and to hold the receptacle on said seat, and mechanism for moving said door to the retracted position thereof to drop the receptacle and its contents into said combustion chamber and thereafter for moving said door to the incinerating position thereof, thus completely to incinerate the receptacle and its contents.

11. The waste disposal unit set forth in claim 10, wherein the outlet of said fan communicates with said combustion chamber and thence with the exterior of said housing, thus to draw the air from around the receptacle into the combustion chamber and to supply air for the combustion process in said combustion chamber.

12. The waste disposal unit set forth in claim 11, wherein, said fan has a second inlet communicating with the exterior of said housing to draw additional air thereinto and into the combustion chamber.

13. A waste disposal unit for substantially completely incinerating waste deposited in a receptacle of flexible and combustible material, said waste disposal unit comprising an enclosed housing having a waste receiving opening in the top thereof, a combustion chamber disposed in said housing below said opening and having a doorway in vertical alignment therewith, a door mounted in said housing for movement between an incinerating position closing said doorway and a retracted position opening said doorway, said door in the incinerating position thereof providing a seat for a receptacle inserted through said opening and resting on said seat and in vertical alignment withsaid opening, a fan mounted in said housing and having an inlet communicating with the portion of said housing disposed between said top and said combustion chamber and an outlet, a venturi section having a high pressure inlet connected to said outlet of said fan and having an outlet communicating with the exterior of said housing and having a low pressure inlet communicating with said combustion chamber, operation of said fan serving to withdraw air from the portion of said housing disposed between said top and said combustion chamber to position and to hold the receptacle on said seat and to withdraw.

the combustion products from said combustion chamber and to exhaust them to the exterior of said housing, and mechanism for moving said door to the retracted position thereof to drop the receptacle and its contents into said combustion chamber and thereafter for moving said door to the incinerating position thereof thus completely to incinerate the receptacle and its contents.

14. The waste disposal unit set forth in claim 13, wherein said fan has a second inlet communicating with the exterior of said housing to draw air therefrom and to supply the air through said venturi section to mix with the combustion gases to cool the same before the combustion gases exit from said housing.

15. The waste disposal unit set forth in claim 13, wherein said venturi section has a second outlet communicating with said combustion chamber to supply air thereinto for combustion purposes.

16. The waste disposal unit set forth in claim 13, and further comprising a second fan mounted in said housing and having an inlet communicating with the portion of said housing disposed between said top and said combustion chamber and an outlet communicating with said combustion chamber, said second fan serving to withdraw air from the portion of said housing disposed between said top and said combustion chamber and to supply air into said combustion chamber for combustion purposes.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,869,939 8/1932 Latimer l60 X 2,882,534 4/1959 Jauch et al 110 9 X 2,903,709 9/1959 Blankenship et al. 1109 X 2,995,097 8/ 1961 Kruckeber-g et a1 1l0-9 3,092,049 6/1963 Wood 1109 JAMES W. WESTHAVER, Primary Examiner. 

2. A WASTE DISPOSAL UNIT FOR SUBSTANTIALLY COMPLETELY INCINERATING WASTE DEPOSITED IN A RECEPTACLE OF FLEXIBLE AND COMBUSTIBLE MATERIAL, SAID WASTE DISPOSAL UNIT COMPRISING AN ENCLOSED HOUSING HAVING A WASTE RECEIVING OPENING IN THE TOP THEREOF, A COMBUSTION CHAMBER DISPOSED IN SAID HOUSING BELOW SAID OPENING AND HAVING A DOORWAY IN VERTICAL ALIGNMENT THEREWITH, A DOOR MOUNTED IN SAID HOUSING FOR MOVEMENT BETWEEN AN INCINERATING POSITION CLOSING SAID DOORWAY AND A RETRACTED POSITION OPENING SAID DOORWAY, SAID DOOR IN THE INCINERATING POSITION THEREOF PROVIDING A SEAT FOR A RECEPTACLE INSERTED THROUGH SAID OPENING AND RESTING ON SAID SEAT AND IN VERTICAL ALIGNMENT WITH SAID OPENING, MEANS FOR WITHDRAWING AIR FROM THE PORTION OF SAID HOUSING DISPOSED BETWEEN SAID TOP AND SAID COMBUSTION CHAMBER TO POSITION AND TO HOLD THE RECEPTACLE ON SAID SEAT, AND MECHANISM FOR MOVING SAID DOOR TO THE RETRACTED POSITION THEREOF TO DROP THE RECEPTACLE AND ITS CONTENTS INTO SAID COMBUSTION CHAMBER AND THEREAFTER FOR MOVING SAID DOOR TO THE INCINERATING POSITION THEREOF, THUS COMPLETELY TO INCINERATE THE RECEPTACLE AND ITS CONTENTS. 